Rooting in water, and plants from a leaf

Some plants root happily in a glass of water on the windowsill. University of Nevada, Reno Extension names pothos as one, with roots often appearing within about ten days. Change the water every few days so it stays fresh, and move the cutting into potting mix once it has a good set of roots. Cuttings can suffer some shock when moved from water to soil, so handle the new roots gently and keep the mix moist while the plant settles.

A few plants can grow a whole new plant from a single leaf. This is slower than a stem cutting, because the leaf has to make both roots and a new shoot. It works best with fleshy-leaved plants such as African violets and many succulents.

For an African violet, cut a healthy leaf with a short stalk, about 4 cm, and insert the stalk at a slight angle into moist mix. For succulents, let the cut end dry for about an hour so it calluses, then rest or insert the leaf in moist, gritty mix.

Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag and keep it in bright, indirect light. New plants form at the base of the leaf or its stalk, so be patient; once they have grown, the old leaf can be cut away.